This Is the Best Way to Clean Suede Shoes (2024)

FAQs

This Is the Best Way to Clean Suede Shoes? ›

Suede is a natural material that can generally be cleaned without the use of any liquids. Because the fibers are so close together, you can simply brush dirt away in most cases with a suede brush. Suede brushes have both stiff metal bristles and soft nylon bristles and are specifically designed to clean suede.

For tough stains on suede shoes, dip a microfiber cloth in white vinegar and gently rub the stain, taking care to dampen and not soak the surface. The vinegar might temporarily alter the color of the suede while it's damp, but as the moisture evaporates, the material should return to its original color.

If you don't have a specialist suede cleaner to hand, white distilled vinegar diluted in water can be used as an alternative. Again, test it on a hidden area first. Whatever suede cleaning product you use, ensure that you thoroughly blot the area dry after the stain has been removed.

Don't: Use Water. It's tempting to dip a rag into the water and try to spot clean, especially if it's just small stain. However, water can ruin suede, damage the look of your shirt or shoes, and cause other unsightly issues like wrinkles and texture changes.

No, do not clean suede shoes with Dawn dish soap. Dawn is a powerful grease-cutting soap, and the formula is too harsh for suede. It can leave behind stains or residue. Only a drop of Dawn diluted in water might be effective on spot treating your shoes, but it's safer to stick to suede soap or suede shampoo.

Plain white vinegar or rubbing alcohol can penetrate the suede and remove dirt, grime, salt, and water stains.

Vinegar is ideal for tougher stains that you've tried removing using a brush, but are proving stubborn. Cleaning suede shoes with vinegar is often also effective on salt lines. Apply a modest amount of white vinegar to a clean, soft cloth.

If you have a suede item that needs a little fixing up, a suede cleaning brush is a great tool to get rid of most dirt. There are other tools you can use to restore your suede, like a suede eraser or cornstarch. After just a few minutes of cleaning, your suede will look much better.

Handle your suede shoes gently, lightly brushing or rubbing with a firm brush or dry microfiber cloth to get the dirt off. Suede shoes shouldn't be buffed like leather ones. To fine-tune your cleaning, use an eraser, a nail file, or even a clean toothbrush to gently loosen any stubborn dirt.

How do professionals clean suede? ›

Suede absorbs water, so washing a pair of suede shoes with water can actually cause stains to set in the fabric. Instead, start with a dry brush, follow with a suede rubber and work out stubborn stains with a bit of rubbing alcohol, white vinegar or a suede-cleaning solution.

Can You Clean Suede with Soap & Water? Honestly, soap isn't really the way to go because of potential staining. Even worse, suede tends to stain with water. We always recommend using a brush and cleaning kit, but water could work if you need to tackle surface marks (like a hand sanitizer stain on suede).

You'd be forgiven for thinking suede shoes once damp or muddy are a lost cause. But have no fear, there *is* a way to clean your suede shoes. All you'll need is a rubber or eraser, some white vinegar, baking soda, a flannel or face cloth, a suede brush or nail brush, and some suede protector if you have it.

How to treat suede shoes. It is important to frequently treat unfinished suede to make it more supple and resistant to scratches. After cleaning your suede shoes, use a soft cloth or brush to apply a suede conditioner, which will usually be a wax, oil or cream.

Suede absorbs water, so washing a pair of suede shoes with water can actually cause stains to set in the fabric. Instead, start with a dry brush, follow with a rubber eraser, and work out stubborn stains with a bit of rubbing alcohol, white vinegar or a suede-cleaning solution.

Dip the corner of a flannel or washcloth into a small bowl of vinegar or rubbing alcohol (being careful not to drench the whole cloth) and ring out any excess liquid. Delicately dab the damp corner against the stain on your shoe, massaging it into the suede.